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New home for ministry at WMU

Posted on by Michigan
Lisa Batten, Director of the Wesley Foundation at Western Michigan University, receives a blessing during dedication ceremonies of a new ministry center on March 11. ~mic/Paul Reissmann

The new Wesley Foundation building at Western Michigan University is now open for ministry.

PAUL REISSMANN
Michigan Area Communications

The Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo had an open house and dedication for its new building on Friday, March 11, 2016. This was the first time the building was accessible to the general public since construction began in autumn 2015. 

Lisa Batten, Director of the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo, has seen the building project from start to finish. 

A celebration of 53 years of ministry with young people was held in Kalamazoo last week. ~mic/Paul Reissmann
A celebration of 53 years of ministry with young people was held in Kalamazoo last week. ~mic/Paul Reissmann

 In 2009 the administration of Western Michigan University offered to buy the original Wesley building. In exchange Wesley would be relocated, given a piece of land and a parking lot on the west side of campus. Wesley agreed to the offer. 

The Board of the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo did not make an immediate decision about what to do with the property. As a regular practice, board members began to walk around the property in prayer, asking God for clarity and guidance as they went forward. The decision was eventually made to construct a new facility for the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo at 820 Rankin Avenue.  

Wesley then began a feasibility study to determine the degree of financial support and general resources available from local churches in the Kalamazoo District and alumni to support a major building project.

It was determined the support was sufficient and the “Widening the Welcome” campaign was launched.

Wesley began plans with the help of American Village Builders (AVB) in Kalamazoo, MI. The design for the building was finalized in 2015. AVB also helped to construct the Wesley Intentional Living Community, adjacent to the new ministry center. 

A seven-year effort to build a new home for ministry on the campus of Western Michigan University culminated in an Open House and Dedication on March 11. ~mic/Paul Reissmann
A seven-year effort to build a new home for ministry on the campus of Western Michigan University culminated in an Open House and Dedication on March 11. ~mic/Paul Reissmann

The design focus is to provide  accessibility to differently-abled individuals, having wheelchair ramps for full mobility, as well as Spanish and braille signage within the building. A unisex/non-gendered bathroom was installed, along with a full shower facility for larger overnight events hosted at Wesley. The environment promises to be flexible for multi-use and adaptable, able to change as the campus and the students live into the future.

“I hope that we don’t become fixated on the building,” said Batten. “It’s an instrument for ministry. Our Board can do the planning around, ‘What does God have for us next?’ and ‘How do we use this building for ministry that has not been dreamed about yet?’” 

Overall, the new Wesley Foundation will seek to do what it has always done: dream of new possibilities for ministry as well as gather and grow students in the love of Jesus Christ.

Last Updated on December 15, 2023

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The Michigan Conference